A PROBE into a North Wales council's payment to a top officer concluded it was "contrary to law".

The investigation was launched by district auditor Anthony Barrett into Anglesey Council after ex-housing director John Arthur Jones was paid more than £43,000.

An objection was received from former councillor John Owen of Holyhead.

Mr Jones received the cash in an out-of-court settlement shortly before an employment tribunal into his dismissal was due to start at Abergele in July 2000.

In his report Mr Barrett says: "My position is that those who had an apparent personal interest in the decision whether or not to settle should not have been consulted and, through the consultation, participated in the decision making process."

He concluded: "The item of account recording the payment of £43,660 to the former director of housing in settlement of his employment tribunal proceedings appears to me to give rise to an item of account which is contrary to law."

But Mr Barrett said it was not appropriate to take further action against officers and councillors.